Working with MicroStation Print · PDF fileWorking with MicroStation Print Organizer ... In MicroStation V8i, ... Print definition files should be edited inside MicroStation

Working with MicroStation Print Organizer

2013 Bentley LEARNing Conference

MS2WK9


Team Leader: Dan Tanner

Bentley Systems, Incorporated 685 Stockton Drive Exton, PA 19341 www.bentley.com

http://www.bentley.com/

Workshop: MS2WK9 - Working with MicroStation Print Organizer Copyright © 2013 Bentley Systems, Inc.

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Table of Contents Session Description .......................................................................................................................... 5 Learning Objectives ......................................................................................................................... 5

Working with MicroStation Print Organizer .............................................................. 6

Single Sheet Printing Enhancements ............................................................................................... 6 PDF Printer Enhancements ............................................................................................................ 11 Other Enhancements ..................................................................................................................... 13 Using Print Organizer to Print a Set of Files ................................................................................... 14 Defining a Hierarchical Print Set .................................................................................................... 16

Exercise: Create a Print Set with a Folder Hierarchy ................................................ 17 Setting the Type of Print Definition: Fixed or Variable .................................................................. 18 Creating Print Definitions .............................................................................................................. 20 Using Project Explorer to Compose And Navigate a Print Set ....................................................... 21

Exercise: Add files to the BSI300 Print Set ............................................................... 22 Exercise: Open and Modify a Print Set using Project Explorer ................................. 25 Exercise: Add Links from Project Explorer to a Link Set ........................................... 27

Specifying Print Definition Properties ........................................................................................... 29 Exercise: Manually Specify Print Definition Properties ............................................ 36

Modifying Print Definition Properties ........................................................................................... 37 Exercise: Modify Print Definition Properties ............................................................ 39

Printing Print Definitions in a Print Set .......................................................................................... 42 Printing to a PDF ............................................................................................................................ 43

Exercise: Print to a Multi-page PDF File ................................................................... 43 Managing Names and File Paths in Print Organizer ...................................................................... 45

Exercise: Rename Existing Print Definitions Using an Expression ............................ 47 Using Print Styles ........................................................................................................................... 48

Exercise: Create and Use a Print Style ...................................................................... 51 Exercise: Rename Existing Print Definitions Using a Custom Expression ................. 52 Exercise: Create a Named Expression for Output File Names .................................. 54 Exercise: Use the Named Expression for the Output File Names ............................ 56 Exercise: Create a Print Style in a DGN Library......................................................... 58 Exercise: Use a Print Style ........................................................................................ 59

Learning Paths .......................................................................................................... 61

Assessment 63

4 Workshop: MS2WK9 - Working with MicroStation Print Organizer Copyright © 2013 Bentley Systems, Inc.


SESSION DESCRIPTION This workshop explains how to use Print Organizer to create, manage, and publish project deliverables.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After this course you will be able to:

• Identify Print dialog enhancements for single sheet printing

• Explore PDF printer driver enhancements

• Navigate the Print Organizer dialog

• Create and populate hierarchical Print sets

• Work with Print Organizer and Project Explorer

• Create and apply Print Styles

• Create and apply named expressions

Note At the end of this training session, an assessment will be given. We will review all assessment questions and answers to see what you have learned.


Print Organizer is a replacement for the Batch Print utility. Additional printing enhancements include changes in the Print dialog for single sheet printing and the introduction of Print Styles. Print styles provide an easy and flexible way of defining default print definition properties for both Print Organizer and the Print dialog.

Printing can be as simple as setting up a view or placing a fence around the area of interest and clicking the Print icon to open the Print dialog. When you need to produce printed output from sets of files, you can use Print Organizer. It creates print sets, which are used to identify, save, and print a particular set of files, models, or Project Explorer links.

Print styles allow you to define and reuse named collections of print definition properties. Print styles can be used in both Print Organizer and the Print dialog.

SINGLE SHEET PRINTING ENHANCEMENTS

PRINT DEFINITION FILES REPLACE PRINT CONFIGURATION FILES

Instead of going through the complete setup procedure each time that you require printed output from a design file, you can save the print settings in a print definition file (.pset). A print definition file lets you save the printing parameters for a design file, like the area to be printed, the design file specification, page size, margins, scale, and pen table, if attached. Once saved, you can recall the print definition file at any time to create printed output of the same area of your design file. Print definition files replace the former print configuration (.ini) files. A print definition file is a binary file and can be saved or recalled using the Save Print Definition File or Open Print Definition File option in the File menu of the Print dialog. The Configuration menu in the Print dialog has been removed.

Single Sheet Printing Enhancements

Workshop: MS2WK9 - Working with MicroStation Print Organizer 7 Copyright © 2013 Bentley Systems, Inc.

Using the Open Print Definition File option you can open a .pset or a .ini file. The Print dialog can read both, but can write only .pset files.

Note A print definition (.pset) file has the same file format as a Print Organizer's print set file, but a print definition file created in the Print dialog contains only a single print definition.

USING PRINT STYLES

A print style is a named collection of print definition properties. You can select and apply a print style in the Print dialog by selecting Settings > Apply Print Style. Read more about print styles in the chapter ‘Using Print Styles’.

PRINTER DRIVERS MIGRATES FROM .PLT TO .PLTCFG Previously, printer driver configuration files were delivered as .plt files that could be edited in a text editor. In MicroStation V8i, these .plt files are replaced by .pltcfg files that are stored in XML format. To edit a printer driver configuration file select File > Edit Printer Driver Configuration in the Print dialog, which opens the Printer Driver Configuration dialog



Note You can also open a printer driver configuration file that is stored as a .plt file in the Printer Driver Configuration dialog, but the file will be read-only. Default .pltcfg printer driver configuration files are delivered in the \System\pltcfg folder. Existing .plt files are still supported, but they are no longer delivered.

PRINT DEFINITION FILES

Print definition files have replaced print setup or print configuration text (.ini) files. A print definition (.pset) file is a binary file and has the same file format as Print Organizer's print set file, but it contains only a single print definition. Print definition files should be edited inside MicroStation. The Configuration menu on the Print dialog, with its Open, Save, and Save As items, has been removed. The menu has been replaced with Open Print Definition File and Save Print Definition File items under the File menu. The Open Print Definition File menu item brings up the Select Print Definition File dialog that lets you select a print definition file whose extension may be either .pset or .ini. An .ini file is a legacy print configuration file format. A .pset file is the Print Organizer print set file format. The Print dialog can read both .ini and .pset files, but can write only .pset files.

NON-RASTERIZED HIDDEN LINE REMOVAL

You can now print a view with hidden line display in non-rasterized mode. Previously the presence of a hidden line view would set and disable the Rasterized check box, causing the print to be submitted as raster data. There is also a new menu item on the Print dialog's Settings menu for Hidden Line Removal. The new Hidden Line Removal Settings dialog lets you control settings that affect the hidden line removal process.



PRINT CONFIGURATION VARIABLES

The following configuration variables have been added to the printing system. These configuration variables apply to both Print Organizer and the Print dialog. They are:

• MS_PRINTDEF_PATH -specifies the search path for print definition (.pset or .ini) files. This variable replaces MS_PLOTINI, which is no longer supported.

• MS_PLTCFG_PATH specifies the search path for printer driver configuration (.pltcfg or .plt)

files. This path is also used to locate dependent files such as PostScript prolog files, which are no longer constrained to the same directory as the selected .pltcfg or .plt files. They can be stored anywhere in MS_PLTCFG_PATH. If the MS_PLTCFG_PATH configuration variable is defined, the first directory in its value is used as the initial directory in the Select Printer Driver Configuration File dialog. Otherwise, the most recently used directory for printer driver configuration files is used.

• Previously, the MS_PLTR configuration variable was used to specify the initial print driver

configuration file, if the most recently used value was undefined. The MS_PLTR configuration variable is now read-only and used solely for print accounting purposes.

• MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE specifies a default printer driver configuration file. If the

configuration variable MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE is set to a printer driver configuration filename, that file instead of the most recently used one is selected when you open the print dialog. The value of this variable may be either a .pltcfg or .plt file. This variable replaces the old variable MS_PLOTDLG_DEF_PLTFILE. The old variable is still honored if MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE is not defined.

The MS_PLTFILES configuration variable behavior has changed. The print output directory specified by the MS_PLTFILES configuration variable is now given priority over the most recently used print output directory. If this configuration variable is defined, the most recently used directory is always ignored when the Print dialog brings up the Save Print As dialog for saving a print output file.



ADDITIONAL PRINT ATTRIBUTES

The following attributes have been added to Print Attributes dialog:

• Points: Points placed in the specified area are printed.

• Apply print color mode to raster: By default, the print engine applies the color setting in the Print dialog to raster data. If this is disabled, it does not.

• Use view background color when rendering: Apply the existing view background color when rendering. If on, the print engine does not change the background color for the print when rendering. The default is unchecked.

• Print Phong render modes in software: By default, the product's software renderer is used to render Phong view modes and reference presentation

PDF Printer Enhancements


PDF PRINTER ENHANCEMENTS

The printing system supports three new properties in the Driver Properties section of the pdf.pltcfg printer driver.

CREATING A GEOREFERENCED PDF

The Enable GeoReferencing printer driver property lets you include a geographic coordinate system in the published PDF document. This allows you to display the longitude/latitude values in Acrobat Reader or Professional 9.0 or later.

INCLUDING DESIGN LINKS FROM PROJECT EXPLORER IN A PDF

When the Enable Links printer driver property is enabled, engineering links and links created with Project Explorer, such as saved view links, model links, URL links, and reference links, are retained when you publish a DGN to a PDF document.

MEASURING IN A PDF

A new PDF printer driver property called Enable Measuring is now available. If this property is set, you will be able to measure the distance, area, and perimeter for both the master file and reference files in the published PDF document, in model units.

PDF Printer Enhancements


3D PDF PROPERTY PUBLISHING

You can now publish non-graphical business items to a 3D PDF document. These business items appear as objects in Adobe Reader's Model Tree. By default, business items are not included in the published 3D PDF document. To include business items, enable the Include Properties option in the 3D Plotting Options dialog (Settings > 3D Plotting in the Print dialog). This option allows you to include all, none, or a subset of the business items contained in a 3D design file. To include a subset of the business items, you must create a Property Filter file first using the Property Filter dialog (Settings > PDF Property Filter in the Print dialog) and specify this file in the 3D Plotting Options dialog.

Other Enhancements


OTHER ENHANCEMENTS

Other enhancements include the following.

• ProjectWise InterPlot design scripts are now supported in the Print dialog (and in Print Organizer). Design scripts enable you to alter the appearance of a design file when it is plotted, or published to a PDF document. To load a design script in the Print dialog, select Resymbolization > Attach Design Script.

• You can now print a view with hidden line display in non-rasterized mode. Previously, the presence of a hidden line view would enable the Rasterized setting and make it read-only, causing the print to be submitted as raster data. A new menu item on the Print dialog's Settings menu (Settings > Visible Edges Settings).

Using Print Organizer to Print a Set of Files


USING PRINT ORGANIZER TO PRINT A SET OF FILES Print Organizer is a batch printing utility for printing and reprinting sets of files and models that are stored in a print set file (.pset). The individual files and models within a print set are referred to as print definitions and can be hierarchically grouped in folders and subfolders. Print Organizer is a replacement for the Batch Print utility. To open Print Organizer select File > Print Organizer.

Print Organizer allows you to create two types of print definitions: Fixed print definitions and Variable print definitions.

• A Fixed print definition represents a single page of printed material that targets the same area in the design file regardless of when it is printed.

• A Variable print definition may represent multiple pages of printed material and differing

areas in the design file, depending on changes in the file that occur between printings. Print definitions are created when you add files and models to a print set. Each print definition consists of a reference to a design file to be published, along with properties that determine how the design file will be published within the print set. Assigning the proper values to print definition properties is an essential part of creating a print set. Print Organizer provides several methods to specify print definition properties. Each method is used in a different context. You can:

• Use print styles: named collections of print definition properties, stored in a DGN library;

• Specify print definition properties when creating print definitions;

• Modify individual properties or a group of properties for one or more print definitions in a print set.

Using Print Organizer to Print a Set of Files


Note Print Organizer allows you to individually set print definition properties per item, as opposed to Batch Print's per set attributes. Having print settings per print definition allows you to specify for example a different pen table or print area for each print definition in the print set.

In order to print a set of DGN files and models, you can carry out the following operations from Print Organizer:

• Select a printer

• Define a hierarchical print set

• Set the type of print definition: Fixed or Variable

• Create print definitions

• Specify print definition properties

• (optional) Modify print definition properties

• Print the print definitions in a print set

Defining a Hierarchical Print Set


DEFINING A HIERARCHICAL PRINT SET

Print Organizer allows you to define hierarchical organized print sets that best reflect the ordering of the published output. A print set is a container for print definitions, for folders in which the print definitions are grouped, and for global information pertaining to the print set. If you are going to print the same set of files on a regular basis, you can save the set of files in a print set file (.pset). To define a print set you first create folders and subfolders below the root folder. By default, the root folder gets its name from the print set name.

Print definitions, that are created when files are added, are then organized in the folders and subfolders.

Hierarchical organized print set, with all print definitions shown in groups in the right pane

Defining a Hierarchical Print Set


Exercise: Create a Print Set with a Folder Hierarchy

1. Start MicroStation and set the following in the File Open dialog:

• User: Examples • Project: Building

2. Open BSI300GI001-Sheets.dgn and the Cover Sheet model.

3. Select File > Print Organizer.

4. In the Print Organizer dialog, select File > Save As.

5. Save the file as BSI300.pset. This also defines the name of the root folder.

6. Select the BSI300 folder. You want the next folder to appear under this folder.

7. Click the Add Folder to Set icon to create a new folder and name it Elevations.

8. Select the BSI300 folder and create another subfolder named Sections.

9. In the Print Organizer dialog, click Save.

Setting the Type of Print Definition: Fixed or Variable


SETTING THE TYPE OF PRINT DEFINITION: FIXED OR VARIABLE

Before you add files to Print Organizer, you should decide whether you want to create traditional Fixed print definitions or Variable print definitions.

• A Fixed print definition represents a single page of printed material that targets the same area in the design file regardless of when it is printed. Discovery of models and print shapes happen when the print definition is created. (This is the type of print definition that was created in earlier MicroStation V8i releases.)

• A Variable print definition defers discovery of models and print shapes to print time. A

Variable print definition may represent multiple pages of printed material and differing areas in the design file, depending on changes in the file that occur between printings.

FIXED PRINT DEFINITION

To configure Print Organizer to create Fixed print definitions when files are added to Print Organizer, the Enable Variable print definitions option in Print Organizer´s Preferences dialog (Edit > Preferences) must be disabled. Note that Print Organizer must be restarted before this change can take effect.

Hint: Another option is to set the configuration variable MS_PLT_ENABLE_FLEX_DEFINITION_MODE to 0. A Fixed print definition contains detailed information about the master model and views defined within the design file. When you create a Fixed print definition by adding a design file to a print set,

Setting the Type of Print Definition: Fixed or Variable


the file is opened in read-only mode and a snapshot of the models, view parameters, and various other parameters such as size, scale, and color options are stored inside the print definition. If a fence creation method is defined, Print Organizer scans the models for boundary defining elements to create additional Fixed print definitions. The number of Fixed print definitions that are created is determined by the model selection method and the fence creation method. Fixed print definitions typically take longer to be created than Variable print definitions, since discovery of models and print shapes happen when the print definition is created.

VARIABLE PRINT DEFINITION

To create Variable print definitions when files are added to Print Organizer, you must enable the Enable Variable print definitions option in Print Organizer´s Preferences dialog.

Hint Another option is to set the configuration variable MS_PLT_ENABLE_FLEX_DEFINITION_MODE to 1.

A Variable print definition defers discovery of models and print shapes to print time, which improves flexibility and performance in some workflows. This allows Print Organizer to create Variable print definitions faster than Fixed print definitions and ensures that any newly added models will print automatically without the need to alter the print set.

CONVERTING FROM VARIABLE TO FIXED PRINT DEFINITION

After a project is complete, you can convert all of the Variable print definitions in a print set to Fixed print definitions. First select the print definitions and then select Tools > Convert to fixed print definitions in the Print Organizer dialog. When you convert Variable print definitions to Fixed print definitions, the system uses the default print definition name expression to rename the print definitions.

Creating Print Definitions


CREATING PRINT DEFINITIONS

The next step is to create print definitions by adding files to Print Organizer. You can:

• Click the Add Files to Set icon in Print Organizer and select the files to add; • Select File > Add Active File to Set to add the active file to the print set; • Drag and drop DGN files from Windows Explorer into Print Organizer; • Drag and drop models from the Models dialog into Print Organizer; • Drag and drop Project Explorer links into Print Organizer; • Right-click a link in Project Explorer and select Print Organizer.

Regardless of which method you use, the Create Print Definitions dialog opens to help you create the print definitions.

Note When you select File > Add Active File to Set in the Print Organizer dialog to add the active file to the print set, the initial values of the print parameters are obtained from the source design view when the print definition is created. Therefore, save the active file to disk before adding it to the set and before printing it with Print Organizer, to make sure your changes are reflected in the print.

Note Using the Add and Remove buttons you can add files to or remove files from the Input files list box. Files are displayed using the following format: DGN file name, model name, saved view name.

Note The Print definition creation options section allows you to assign print definition property values to the files in the Input files list box. This is explained in one of the next sections.

Using Project Explorer to Compose And Navigate a Print Set


USING PROJECT EXPLORER TO COMPOSE AND NAVIGATE A PRINT SET

To add a DGN file, model, or saved view link from Project Explorer to an existing print set, you can drag and drop the link into Print Organizer. To compose a new print set, right-click a link in Project Explorer and select Print Organizer.

If Print Organizer already has a print set open, you are first asked to save the changes for that print set. Otherwise, the Create Print Definitions dialog opens with the selected links displayed in the Input files list box. It is also possible to create a link to an existing print set (.pset) file in Project Explorer. This allows you to navigate its folders and subfolders inside Project Explorer and view the individual print definitions. To open a print set file link with Print Organizer for viewing and/or printing, double-click it or right-click the link and select Open from the pop-up menu. Or right-click a print definition in the print set and select Print Organizer.



Exercise: Add files to the BSI300 Print Set

1. Continue in BSI300GI001-Sheets.dgn, in the Cover Sheet model.

2. In the Print Organizer dialog, select Edit > Preferences.

3. Ensure that the Enable variable print definitions option is disabled and close the Preferences dialog. This means you will create Fixed print definitions.

4. Select the Elevations folder and click the Add files to Set icon.

5. In the Create Print Definitions dialog, click Add.

6. Select BSI300GI001-Sheets.dgn and click Done.

Hint It is possible to select multiple files by pressing the Ctrl key.

Currently, you will use the default print definition properties

7. In the Create Print Definitions dialog, click OK.

The print definition processing engine opens the selected design file in a background process. After a while, six print definitions are added to the Elevations folder, because the file contains six (sheet) models.

You will keep the print definitions for the two elevations sheets in the Elevations folder, move the sections sheet print definition to the Sections folder, and delete the remaining print definitions.

8. Drag and drop the print definition with the Building Sections model into the Sections folder.



9. Delete the three print definitions with the Cover Sheet model, the Footing and Curtain Wall Details model, and the Plan Sheet AE101 model from the print set.

10. Select the BSI300 root folder and click the Print Preview tool. A true graphic representation of the first sheet is shown.

11. Use the Previous and Next buttons to page through the print definitions in the folder and its

subfolders. Or select a print definition from the list.



12. Close the Preview dialog. Let’s try out some dialog layout options.

13. Select the BSI300 root folder. The right pane shows the two subfolders.

14. Enable View > View all Print Definitions to display all print definitions in the selected folder and its subfolders in the right pane, without grouping them.

15. Enable View > Show in Groups to display and organize all print definitions below the selected

folder in folder groups.

16. In the Print Organizer dialog, click Save.

17. Close BSI300GI001-Sheets.dgn.



Exercise: Open and Modify a Print Set using Project Explorer

1. Set the following in the File Open dialog:

Project: Civil

2. Open BSI400-Sheets.dgn and the Cover model.

3. Open Project Explorer, for example by clicking the first tool in the Drawing Composition task.

4. In the Project Explorer dialog, on the Links tab, select the Civil Example link set.

This link set is defined in civil.dgnlib. It contains a link to the Civil.pset print set file in the \Civil\data folder.

5. Expand the Civil Print Set link.

6. Double-click the Civil Print Set link. The Print Organizer dialog opens with the Civil.pset print set file open. Let’s check the printer setup first.

7. Select File > Printer Setup in Print Organizer.

8. Click the browse button, select pdf.pltcfg, and then click Open and OK. You will create a new folder below the Civil root folder.

9. Select the Civil root folder, click Add Folder to Set, and name the folder Detail Sheets.



10. Select the Civil root folder again.

11. In the right pane, select the two print definitions with the Beam Guide Rail Detail model and the Catch Basin Details model and drag and drop them into the Detail Sheets folder.

12. In Print Organizer, select File > Save As and save the modified print set as BSI400.pset. Note

that the name of the root folder is also changed to BSI400.



Exercise: Add Links from Project Explorer to a Link Set

1. Continuing in BSI400-Sheets.dgn, in the Print Organizer dialog, create another folder below

the root folder and name it Miscellaneous.

2. In Project Explorer, expand the Designs link and select the Vertical Profiles [BSI400-W01-Design.dgn] link.

You will select another link before dragging them into Print Organizer.

3. Expand the Details link, press and hold the Ctrl key, and select the first link in the Details folder.

4. Release the Ctrl key.

Both links are highlighted.

5. Hold the left mouse button down on one of the selected links, drag them into the Print Organizer dialog, and drop them in the Miscellaneous folder.

This will open the Create Print Definitions dialog.



Note that the entries in the Input files list show the DGN file name, the model name, and, if applicable, the saved view name.

6. Click OK to add the two print definitions to the Miscellaneous folder.

7. Save the print set.

Specifying Print Definition Properties


SPECIFYING PRINT DEFINITION PROPERTIES

When creating a print definition, in addition to defining the objects to print, the Create Print Definitions dialog lets you define the print definition creation properties. These include:

• Various print parameters such as paper size, rotation, display attributes, etc.;

• The model selection method: determines which models to print;

• The fence creation method: determines the print area. The easiest way to specify the print definition properties is to select a print style that has been prepared by an administrator. A print style applies a collection of print definition properties. Print styles are typically stored in DGN libraries. When creating Variable print definitions, using a print style is the only way to specify the print definition properties. When you are creating Fixed print definitions, you can also manually specify the print definition properties. Note: Manually specified print definition properties override any duplicate or mutually exclusive print definition properties specified in a print style.

On the left, creating a Variable print definition; no Manually Specified Options button available.

On the right, creating a Fixed print definition.



When you click the Manually Specified Options button, the Print Definition Creation Options dialog opens, showing several tabs with print definition properties.

Some of these tabs contain list boxes. The first item in each list box is an empty list item, which is used as the default value. If a list box is set to the empty list item, it does not set that print definition property.

FENCE TAB

On the Fence tab, you can define which models to print and optionally specify the fence creation method to define the print area. There are five model selection methods.

• Prefer sheet models – A print definition is created for each sheet model. If there are no sheet models present, a print definition is created for each design model.



• All models – A print definition is created for each model.

• All sheet models – A print definition is created for each sheet model.

• All design models – A print definition is created for each design model. Listed models – Lets you type in the names of the models to use for creating print definitions. You can also use regular expressions to match models. For example, if a DGN file contains three models named sheet01, sheet02, and sheet03, you can use the regular expression sheet* to match all three models.

If you do not specify a model selection method, Print Organizer will create print definitions using the default model selection method in its Preferences dialog (Edit > Preferences).

Note If the object in the Input files list box is a model name or a saved view name, the model selection method in the print style or in the manually specified options is ignored.

The fence creation methods allow you to define the print area for the print definitions. There are seven fence creation methods.

• None – Indicates that you do not want to define a fence. • Define from shape – Opens the Define from shape dialog, which is used to specify the plot

area indirectly by describing boundary-defining shapes whose coordinates define the print area.

• Define from cell – Opens the Define from cell dialog, which is used to specify the plot area indirectly by describing boundary-defining cells whose coordinates define the print area.

• Fit to master model – The print area is automatically calculated to include every element in the master model.



• Fit to master model and all reference files – The print area is automatically calculated to include every element in the master model and all references.

• Fit to element range – Opens the Fit to element range dialog, which is used to specify the plot area indirectly by describing a fence whose coordinates are based on the range of specified elements.

• Enter fence points – Opens the Enter fence points dialog, which is used to specify the fence points that define the print area.

The Define from shape, Define from cell, and Fit to element range methods let you search the master model and/or references to find the boundary-defining shapes, cells, or elements. You can search all references, or identify specific references by typing logical names, file names, or regular expressions in the References list box. In addition, you can limit the search by defining specific levels, colors, line weigths, line styles, cell names, and/or element types.

The Define from shape and Define from cell methods let you specify whether or not to create one print definition from the first matching shape/cell or to create a print definition for each matching shape/cell. For example, suppose a model contains two detail drawings, each with a boundary-defining shape. If the fence creation method is Define from shape and the Create one print definition for each matching shape option is enabled, a total of two print definitions will be created from the model.



MAIN TAB

The Main tab is used to specify area, paper, layout, and Resymbolization parameters for the print definitions.

Print resymbolization is the process of changing characteristics of elements in the printed output. You can use pen tables to control print resymbolization, and now ProjectWise InterPlot Design Scripts are also supported. Design Scripts enable you to alter the appearance of a design file when it is plotted, or published to a PDF document.



ADVANCED TAB

The Advanced tab is where you specify the workspace, color options, and raster options.

You can also specify to update the print definition with the most recent information about the master models and views defined within the DGN file and its associated reference files, or to update the print definition name using the expression name specified on the Default Print Definition Name Expression dialog.



DISPLAY TAB

The Display tab contains controls used to specify various display attributes for the print definitions, and to specify a border comment. Each check box has three states:

• Checked – Indicates that you want the display property applied.

• Clear – Indicates that you want to clear the display property.

• Neutral – A colored box indicates that no setting is to be applied for the display property.

LEVELS AND REFERENCES TABS

The Levels and References tabs allow you to control which levels and references to print for the selected print definitions.



Exercise: Manually Specify Print Definition Properties

1. Continuing in BSI400-Sheets.dgn, in the Print Organizer dialog, create a subfolder named

Profiles under the root folder.

2. Select the folder and click the Add Files to Set icon.

3. In the Create Print Definitions dialog, click Add.

4. Select BSI400-Plan.Profile.dgn and click Done.

5. The selected file is added to the input list.

6. Click Manually Specified Options.

7. On the Fence tab, set Create Print Definition from Models to All models.

8. On the Main tab, in the Layout section, set Size and scale to Maximize.

9. On the Advanced tab, set the User workspace to Examples and the Project workspace to Civil.

10. On the Display tab, disable the Points and Text nodes check boxes.

11. Click OK to close the Print Definition Creaton Options dialog.

12. In the Create Print Definitions dialog, click OK to create the print definitions.

13. Six print definitions are added to the print set, because the input file contains six (drawing)

models.


Modifying Print Definition Properties


MODIFYING PRINT DEFINITION PROPERTIES

Once a Fixed print definition is added to Print Organizer, many of its print definition property values are displayed in the various columns and can be modified using the single-edit, multi-edit, or in-place editing features.

For Variable print definitions only the Name, File Name, Model, and Print Style property values can be edited. There are several methods to modify print definition properties.

• In-place editing – Allows you to edit a single property for one or more print definitions by double-clicking the property in its column in Print Organizer's right pane and changing its value. (Ensure View > Details is enabled.)

• Editing in the Properties or Modify Properties dialog – Allows you to edit multiple print definition

properties for one or more print definitions. Right click the print definition(s) and select Properties to open the single-edit Properties dialog or the multi-edit Modify Properties dialog.

• On the left, single-edit Properties dialog. On the right, multi-edit Modify Properties dialog, with

blank fields.

• Applying a print style – Allows you to apply a print style to one or more existing print definitions. Select Tools > Apply Print Style to open the Apply Print Style dialog and select a print style to apply to the selected print definition(s).



UPDATING PRINT DEFINITIONS

When modifying print definition properties, it is possible to update the print definition with current data from the master file and its associated reference files. Or you can update the print definition name. You find these options on the Advanced tab in the Properties or Modify Properties dialog.

Update from design file – Updates the print definition with detailed information about the master models and views defined within the DGN file. This information, referred to as ‘design state’, is stored inside the print definition when the print definition is created. The model units, view parameters, dimensions of the view, working units of the master model, lists of models, view groups, and saved views are all part of the design state. The initial values of these print parameters are obtained from the source design view when the print definition is created. The Update from design file option can be used to reset these values to match the current state of the DGN file. Note: Updating the print definition´s design state is similar to initially creating the print definition. It may change print definition properties such as paper size and scale in response to new view and model parameters. Update print definition name – Updates the print definition name using the expression name specified in the Default Print Definition Name Expression dialog.



Exercise: Modify Print Definition Properties

1. Continuing in BSI400-Sheets.dgn, in the Print Organizer dialog, select the Profiles folder.

2. In the right pane, move the horizontal scroll bar to view the print definition properties.

The properties are all the same for the six print definitions in this folder, except of course the model dependent properties, like the model name, the scale, and the view group.

3. Select the first print definition in the Profiles folder and click Print Preview.

Currently, most elements are grey, red, or black, and the contour lines and annotations that are in a reference are printed. You will change that, as well as the paper size and the scale. First, you will change the paper size using the in-place editing features.

4. With the first print definition selected, double-click the Paper Size field in the right pane and select ANSI B in the list box.

You will edit the other print definition properties in the Properties dialog.

5. Right-click the first print definition and select Properties.

6. On the Main tab, in the Layout section, click the Maximize button behind the Size fields, to adapt the scale to the new paper size.

7. On the Display tab, turn off Level overrides.

8. Open the Main tab again to view that more elements are colored now.

You will turn off the display of the contour lines.

9. On the References tab, click the New icon to create a new entry in the list.

10. Double-click the File/Reference field and type the file name of the reference that contains the contour lines and the annotations: BSI400-HorizontalAlignment.Drawing.dgn.



11. Double-click the On/Off field and set it to Off.

12. Click OK to close the Properties dialog.

13. Preview the print definition again. Note the colors and that the contour lines and annotations are not printed anymore.

Finally, you will change the paper size and the scale of the other print definitions in the print set’s Profiles folder.

14. In the right pane, select the remaining five print definitions.

15. Right-click on one of them and select Properties. Unlike the single-edit Properties dialog, the multi-edit Modify Properties dialog does not display any current information about the selected print definitions. All fields are blank.

16. Set the following:

Paper size: ANSI C Size and scale: Maximize



Any properties you specify are applied to each of the selected print definitions. The properties that remain blank are not changed. Click OK.

17. Note the changed scale factors in the Scale column in Print Organizer.


Printing Print Definitions in a Print Set


PRINTING PRINT DEFINITIONS IN A PRINT SET

When a print set is ready to print, click the Print icon in Print Organizer. You can print directly to the system printer (printer.pltcfg) or print to disk for later submission to a printer.

Print Organizer's Print dialog allows you to select a different printer driver and, if necessary, make edits to the printer driver configuration file. But..., if you change the printer driver configuration file to one with a different paper size, you will modify every print definition in the print set. Therefore, it is recommended to select the printer driver configuration file before you add your files, models, or Project Explorer links. The Print Range option defines what will be printed.

• All – The entire print set will be printed.

• Selection – Only the current selection will be printed. If the current selection is a folder, the files in that folder and its subfolders will be printed.

Print Organizer prints the print definitions in the order in which they appear in the print set. You can rearrange the order of the print definitions in a print set in Print Organizer by dragging and dropping them, or by using the Move buttons. You can specify the number of copies for printer drivers that support multiple copies. When printing to the Bentley Windows printer driver, you can specify the following destination modes: Send to printer, Create print file, or Create Windows metafile. For Bentley printer drivers that print to file, the output folder and file name expression can be defined.

Printing to a PDF


PRINTING TO A PDF

When printing to the Bentley PDF printer driver (pdf.pltcfg), you can control whether or not the print files are opened after creation and specify how to submit the print set or selected print definitions.

• Separate print jobs – A separate PDF file is created for each print definition.

• Single print job – A multi-page PDF file is created if more than one print definition is selected. When publishing a multi-page PDF document, Print Organizer preserves the hierarchy defined in the print set. The folder names display in the PDF file as bookmarks (if the print driver property Enable Bookmark Hierarchy is enabled).

Exercise: Print to a Multi-page PDF File

1. Continuing in BSI400-Sheets.dgn, in Print Organizer, select the BSI400 root folder and click

Print. In one of the previous exercises, you already set the printer driver to pdf.pltcfg.

2. In the Print dialog, click Printer Setup.

3. In the Printer Setup dialog, click the Edit (pencil) icon.

4. On the Base Properties tab, expand the Driver Properties section.

Printing to a PDF


If Enable Bookmark Hierarchy is enabled, the bookmarks inside the PDF file will reflect the print set hierarchy. If the property is disabled, only the print definition names will appear in the bookmarks section.

5. Since the default is On, close the dialog without making any changes.

6. Close the Printer Setup dialog.

7. In the Print dialog, ensure that the Submit as option is set to Single print job.

8. Also ensure that the output file BSI400.pdf is saved in the \Civil\out folder.

9. Enable the Open print file after creation option and click OK. The Print Organizer Status dialog displays the progress of the print process. If you have Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat Pro available, the file will be opened.

10. Close the Adobe application.

Managing Names and File Paths in Print Organizer


MANAGING NAMES AND FILE PATHS IN PRINT ORGANIZER

To automatically generate print definition names and output file names Print Organizer using MicroStation expressions.

• The print definition name expression is used when you add files to Print Organizer and print definitions are created. It can also be used to rename existing print definitions.

• The output file name expression is used when you print a set of files to disk in Print

Organizer. Print Organizer stores a default print definition name expression and a default output file name expression in each new print set file. You can change these default expressions by selecting File > Default Print Definition Name or File >Output File Names, and then select an expression from the predefined expressions built into Print Organizer, from named expressions prepared by an administrator, or create a custom expression (from a predefined expression).

Changes made to the default print definition name and output file name expressions only affect newly created print definitions and output files. However, you can use the Update Print Definition Name button on the Advanced tab in the Properties and Modify Properties dialogs to update existing print definition names using a new expression.

An even easier method to rename print definitions is to select the definitions (or their parent folder) and select Edit > Rename by Expression. In the Rename Print Definitions by Expression dialog, you can select one of the expressions and preview the names.



Hint: To create a custom expression first select a predefined expression that is similar to the one you want to create. Then select Custom from the Expression name list. The contents of the previously selected expression are copied into the Specify Expression editor control where you can make the necessary modifications.

FINDING AND REPLACING FILE PATHS

When the files that make up a print set are renamed or moved to another folder, you can select Edit > Find and Replace File Path to replace the path name of both the DGN file and the pen table. You can type the old folder path (for example C:\Civil) in the Find what field, and the new folder path (for example C:\dgn\Civil) in the Replace with field.

Hint To create portable print set files, remove the entire file path by using an empty replacement string, leaving just the base name for the DGN and pen table file names.



Exercise: Rename Existing Print Definitions Using an Expression

1. Continuing in BSI400-Sheets.dgn, in Print Organizer, select the Profiles folder.

The names of the print definitions in this folder are composed of the file name and the model name.

2. Select Edit > Rename by Expression.

3. Click Preview Names to see the current print definition names.

4. In the Rename Print Definitions by Expression dialog, open the Expression name list box and select another expression, for example <sheet name>.

The names in the preview dialog are changed.

5. Click OK to update the print definition names in the Profiles folder and close both dialogs.

6. Save the print set and close Print Organizer.

Using Print Styles


USING PRINT STYLES

Print styles provide an easy and flexible way of defining default print definition properties for both Print Organizer and the Print dialog. A print style is a named collection of print definition properties, stored in the open DGN file or in a DGN library. Print styles are useful if you frequently use the same print definition properties every time you print. For example, if you always print at a particular size with a specific pen table, those print definition properties can be defined in a print style and you can apply the print style when you create print definitions or print from the Print dialog. Print styles are commonly defined by administrators, using the Define Print Styles option in the Print Organizer's Tools menu (or Settings > Print Styles in the main menu bar). An administrator typically stores print styles in a configured DGN library, to share them among users. Creating a print style To create a print style, select Tools > Define Print Styles in Print Organizer (or Settings > Print Styles in the main menu bar). The icons in the Define Print Styles dialog allow you to create, save, copy, or delete print styles, and to designate a print style as the default print style. To define the print definition properties the Define Print Styles dialog contains the same tabs as the Properties and Modify Properties dialogs: Main, Advanced, Fence, Display, Levels, and References. There is one additional tab, Printer, where you can specify a printer driver configuration file and/or a Windows printer name. Print styles can be exported or imported from one DGN library or DGN file to another by selecting File > Export XML or File > Import XML in the Print Styles dialog.

MANUALLY APPLYING A PRINT STYLE

You can apply a print style any time prior to creating printed output, in Print Organizer as well as in the Print dialog. You can:

• Apply a print style when creating new print definitions in Print Organizer;

• Apply a print style to existing print definitions in Print Organizer;

• Apply a print style in the Print dialog.

Hint It is also possible to have a print style automatically applied when creating print definitions, by identifying it as the default print style or by assigning a print style to a printer driver configuration file. This is something an administrator can take care of.

Using Print Styles


When adding files to a print set, you can click the browse button in the Create Print Definitions dialog and select a print style in the Apply Print Style dialog.

This dialog displays the print styles in the open DGN file and in the configured DGN libraries. Print styles that display with bold text reside in the active design file. To apply a print style to existing print definitions in the Print Organizer dialog, select the print definitions and then select Tools > Apply Print Style. You can select the desired print style in the Apply Print Style dialog. To apply a print style in the Print dialog, for single sheet printing, select Settings >Apply Print Style.

Using Print Styles


PRINT STYLE PRIORITY

To have a print style automatically applied when creating print definitions, an administrator can set it as the default print style or assign the print style to a printer driver configuration file. To ensure that you have an opportunity to override any default print style properties, MicroStation processes print styles in the following order.

• Print styles designated as a default print style are always applied first when files are added to

Print Organizer or when the Print dialog is opened. If you have multiple default print styles, they are applied alphabetically. Mutually exclusive properties that appear in subsequent default print styles override the same properties that appear in previous default print styles.

• If both a default print style and a print style that is assigned to a printer driver configuration file

exist, duplicate or mutually exclusive properties in the print style assigned to a printer driver configuration file override those in the default print style.

• Any properties specified by manually applying a print style, always override any duplicate or

mutually exclusive properties in a default print style or print style assigned to a printer driver configuration file.

• Any properties manually specified in the Print dialog or in Print Organizer after a print style has been applied, always override any duplicate or mutually exclusive properties in the applied print style(s).

Using Print Styles


Exercise: Create and Use a Print Style

1. Continuing in BSI400-Sheets.dgn, in Print Organizer, select Tools > DefinePrint Styles.

2. Click New to create a new print style.

3. Rename the print style to BSI400-Profiles.

4. On the Main tab, set Paper size to ANSI B and Size and scale to Maximize.

5. On the Display tab, turn off Level overrides.

6. Click Save to save the print style in the active DGN.

7. Close the Print Styles dialog.: Create and use a print style You will apply this print style to several print definitions.

8. In Print Organizer, select the Profiles folder.

9. In the right pane, select the last three print definitions and note that their paper sizes are currently set to ANSI C.

10. Select Tools > Apply Print Style.

11. In the Apply Print Style dialog, select the print style BSI400-Profiles and click OK. The print style is applied to the three selected print definitions.

12. Note that their paper sizes are set to ANSI B now and their scales are updated.

Using Print Styles


Exercise: Rename Existing Print Definitions Using a Custom Expression

1. Continuing in BSI400-Sheets.dgn, in Print Organizer, select the Profiles folder.

2. Select Edit > Rename by Expression.

3. In the Rename Print Definitions by Expression dialog, open the Expression name list box and

select <print counter>-<model name>.

4. Click Preview Names to preview the print definition names.

The print counter defines the position of the print definition within the collection of items in the entire print set. The number sequence begins with one. When a predefined expression is selected, the contents of the expression are shown in the dialog's read-only Expression field. Because the predefined expression is not exactly what you want it to be, you will modify it.

5. Select Custom from the Expression name list. The previously selected expression can be modified now in the Specify Expression editor field. You will change the 3-digit print counter into a 2-digit print counter and add the hard text Profiles.

6. In the expression, change {0:D3} to {0:D2}.

7. Behind the second ampersand &, add “Profiles-“ &

Using Print Styles


8. Close the preview dialog and click Preview Names again to view the updated print definition names.

9. Ensure the option Set as default print definition name expression is disabled.

10. Click OK to rename the print definition in the Profiles folder.

11. Save the print set and close Print Organizer.

Using Print Styles


Exercise: Create a Named Expression for Output File Names

1. Open civil.dgnlib in the \Civil\dgnlib\ dataset folder.

2. Select Utilities > Named Expressions.

3. Click the New icon.

4. In the Internal Name field, type PrintOutputDateName. This name is seen in the Named

Expressions dialog.

5. In the External Name field, type <date>-<print definition name>. This name appears in the Print Organizer's dialogs.

6. In the Keywords section, enable the Print Set check box. This will make the named

expression available in Print Organizer.

7. To be able to add the two print symbol sets, open the Print Organizer dialog.

8. In the Named Expressions dialog, in the Symbol Sets section, click the arrow at the right, select PrintDefinition, and then click Add.

9. Also add the PrintSet symbol set, the System.DateTime symbol set, and the System.String

symbol set.

You will create an expression that will generate output file names that include the print date and the print definition name.

Using Print Styles


10. In the Expression field, right-click and select System.String > Format. The following expression string is added:

System.String.Format (format,arg0) First, you will replace the arg0 string with a DateTime object that is set to the current date and time.

11. In the expression string, select arg0.

12. Right-click and select System.DateTime > Now. Then you will replace the format string.

13. In the expression string, replace the format string with the following:

"{0:ddMMyyyy}" Currently, the expression looks like this: System.String.Format("{0:ddMMyyyy}",System.DateTime.Now())

Hint If you would like to view examples of the System.String.Format symbol select Utilities > Report Symbols in the Named Expressions dialog and in the System.String symbol set open the Format symbol.

Then you will add the print definition name to the output file name.

14. Click behind the current expression string, press the space bar, and type the following:

& “-” & This will place a dash between the date and the print definition name.

15. Press the space bar again.

16. Right-click and select PrintDefinition > Name. The expression now is: System.String.Format("{0:ddMMyyyy}",System.DateTime.Now()) & "-" & PrintDefinition.Name This will result, for example, in the output file name 06072011-[Name].

17. Click the Test button.

18. Click Save to save the new named expression in the DGN library civil.dgnlib.

19. Close the Named Expressions dialog.

Using Print Styles


Exercise: Use the Named Expression for the Output File Names

1. Open BSI400-Sheets.dgn (or another DGN file) in the \Civil\dgn\ folder.

2. First, you have to add civil.dgnlib in the \Civil\dgnlib\ dataset folder to the configured DGN

libraries.

3. Select Workspace > Configuration and in the Primary Search Paths category select the DGN Library List variable (MS_DGNLIBLIST).

4. Select Edit and add the path to civil.dgnlib to the configuration variable.

5. Click OK and Yes to save the new configuration variable definition and close the dialogs.

6. Close the active DGN file and reopen it, to load the updated configuration variables.

7. In Print Organizer, open BSI400.pset in the \Civil\data\ folder.

8. Select the Profiles folder.

9. In Print Organizer, select File > Output File Names.

10. From the Expression name options, select <date>-<print definition name>.

The named expression is available from the configured DGN libraries. Only named expressions that have the keyword Print Set assigned are shown.

11. Click Preview Names.

Using Print Styles


The file extension reflects the current printer driver.

12. Close the preview dialog and click OK in the Output File Name Expression dialog.

13. Click the Print icon.

14. In the Print dialog, set Submit as to Separate print jobs.

15. Change the destination and click OK.

16. Navigate to the output folder to find the generated PDF files.

Using Print Styles


Exercise: Create a Print Style in a DGN Library

1. Open civil.dgnlib in the \Printing\dgnlib\ dataset folder. 2. Select Settings > Print Styles in the main menu bar. 3. Click New to create a new print style and name it A3-grayscale. 4. On the Fence tab, set Create Print Definition from Models to Prefer sheet models. 5. On the Display tab, turn off Constructions and Points. 6. On the Main tab, set the following: Print Area: Sheet Paper size: ISO A3 Full sheet: enabled Units: mm Size and Scale: Maximize 7. On the Advanced tab, set Color to Grayscale. 8. On the Printer tab, set the printer driver configuration file to pdf.pltcfg. 9. In the Print Styles dialog, select the A3-grayscale print style in the left pane and click the Default

Print Style icon, to designate it as the default print style. 10. Ensure no other print style is set as default; only A3-grayscale must have a checkmark displayed.

11. Click Save to save the new print style in the DGN library civil.dgnlib. 12. Close civil.dgnlib.

Using Print Styles


Exercise: Use a Print Style

1. Open BSI400-Sheets.dgn (or another DGN file) in the \Civil\dgn\ dataset folder.

2. In Print Organizer, open the BSI400 print set.

3. Select the Detail Sheets folder and click Add Files to Set.

4. Add BSI400-Details.dgn in the \Civil\dgn\ dataset folder to the Input files list.

You don’t have to select a print style, because the default print style A3-grayscale is automatically applied.

5. Click OK. Eighteen print definitions are added, from the eighteen drawing models in BSI400-Details.dgn.

6. To check which default print style is applied open the Message Center and select the message Default print style applied.

Hint: If no print definitions are added and the error message The model expression 'ALL_SHEET_MODELS' did not match any models in the design appears, then probably the print style Civil in civil.dgnlib is (also) set as default print style. In that case, open civil.dgnlib again and repeat the last four steps of the previous exercise. Make sure you close the DGNLIB file before you reopen BSI400-Sheets.dgn.

7. Scroll across the columns and review the properties of the new print definitions.

Using Print Styles


They correspond to what you defined in the print style, for example, units is set to mm, paper size is set to ISO A3.

You will also apply the print style to an existing print definition.

8. Select the first print definition in the list: BSI400-Sheets-Beam Guide Rail Detail.

9. Select Tools > Apply Print Style.

10. In the Apply Print Style dialog, select A3-grayscale and click OK.

11. Note that several print definition properties were changed such as the units and the paper size.

Save the print set.

Learning Paths

All of our training through Bentley is accessible via Learning Paths, ready-made training plans that provide the recommended progression of skills training for a product, solution, job role, or experience level.

In developing your team, you can choose from Bentley-recommended Learning Paths or configure your own to meet your team’s specific needs.

Learning Paths help us:

• Develop our internal talent pool • Make our employees more productive • Prioritize learning topics by what is important to us as a company • Reinforce our corporate culture of continuous learning

Using Print Styles



Assessment

1. Name an enhancement for single sheet printing?

Print Definition files replace configuration files

Plot drivers migrated from .plt to .pltcfg and are stored in XML format

You can apply Print Styles

2. Name an enhancement for PDF printer drivers?

Enable Links

Enable Measuring

Enable Georeferencing

3. What is Print Organizer?

A batch printing utility for printing sets of files and models that are stored in a print set file (.pset)

4. What is a hierarchical Print set?

A Print set that reflects the ordering of the published output

5. What is a Print Style?

A named collection of Print definition properties stored in a DGN file or DGN Library



Documents

Working with MicroStation Print · PDF fileWorking with MicroStation Print Organizer ... In MicroStation V8i, ... Print definition files should be edited inside MicroStation